Unless you’ve lived under a rock, you’ve probably heard of Victoria Roth‘s Divergent series. This dystopian novel has stolen the hearts of millions of fans around the globe, and the films that are based on the series have won many awards in the recent past. The book series consists of three main books – “Divergent,” “Insurgent,” and “Allegiant.”. There is also an additional book called “Four.”.
What is the Divergent series about?
The Divergent series takes place in a society that is divided into factions. Each of these factions represents a different virtue, and the people under its wing must live up to the value of this virtue and follow certain rules. The name of the main character is Tris Prior, and Victoria Roth’s series tells her story and the complexity of the society in which she was born and lives.
Think Divergent: Who are the Top 10 characters in the Divergent series, and why?
I could talk about why you should read and watch Divergent all day, maybe even more, but it’s best to let the characters tell their stories. Here are the Top 10 characters from the Divergent series!
Tris Prior (Beatrice Prior)
Beatrice was a girl I saw in stolen moments at the mirror who kept quiet at the dinner table. This is someone whose eyes claim mine and don’t release me; this is Tris. – Tris talks about herself in Divergent.
There’s no way we can put another character in the first place. Tris Prior is the main narrator and the protagonist in the Divergent series. She is a character who undergoes a huge metamorphosis. She is a woman of high morals, as her parents are members of the Abnegation faction. However, everything changes when Tris transfers to Dauntless. This is a moment in the heroine’s life when she must forget everything she has learned up to that point and start all over again. In the world of Divergent, faction comes before blood, which means the girl must leave and forget her family and follow the rules of her new faction. Tris transforms into a revolutionary leader, which contrasts with the sweet and simple girl she used to be. In the movies, the focus falls on the physical and change, while the books focus on the internal conflict and present her as a symbol of rebellion against the system. Sadly, at the end of the last book, Tris Prior sacrifices herself to save the life of her brother.
Tobias Eaton (Four)
I don’t want to be just one thing; I can’t be. I want to be brave, and I want to be selfless, intelligent, honest, and kind. Four said this to Tris Prior in Divergent.
The past of Tobias Eaton, better known as Four, is quite tragic. He was victimised by his father, who is an extremely mean and cruel man. Four’s mother died when he was just a little boy, leaving him to fend for himself. Despite being born under Abnegation’s wing, at the faction selection ceremony, he chooses Dauntless. Tobias is in love with the main character, Tris Prior. He is in a relationship with Tris until the end of the trilogy, when she dies, as mentioned earlier. Four is also an instructor to the people who come to Dauntless, thus sparking their love with Tris. This character wants to get the most out of his life now that he is free from his father’s shackles. This makes him an extremely inspiring person for viewers and readers, and that’s why second place is his in our ranking.
Jeanine Matthews
“The faction system is a living being, composed of cells. All of you. The future belongs to those who know where they belong.” — Jeanine
Jeanine is the main antagonist in the Divergent book and movie series. She is the leader of the Erudite faction, as her intelligence is extremely high, making her the perfect leader. Jeanine Matthews is the woman who is responsible for Erudite and Dauntless’ conflict with the Abnegation faction. She is responsible for writing articles that speak poorly of Abnegation and their people. This causes the other factions to wonder if the members of Abnegation are as dedicated as they appear. She is one of the people who started the second war. Also, Jeanine creates a serum through which she can control people to kill every member of the Abnegation faction.
Caleb Prior
“I’m not like you guys.” — Caleb Prior
You must have already guessed that Caleb Prior is the brother of the main character – Tris Prior. Caleb’s character is a study in contrasts. He is initially seen as a loyal and selfless person, but his subsequent actions raise questions about betrayal, intellectual arrogance, and the complexity of family loyalty. His choices, particularly in “Insurgent” and “Allegiant,” reveal the inner turmoil and the burdens of his intellect and convictions. The persona of this character is extremely unknown and interesting. Even if Caleb pretends to be Abnegation for an extremely long time, he is an Erudite at heart.
Christina
“Yeah, sometimes life sucks. But you know what I’m holding on to? The moments that don’t stink. The trick is to notice them when they come around.” – Christina to Tobias Eaton in Allegiant
The character of Christina has the important mission of being the main character’s best friend. However, her character is much more than just a friend to Tris. Christina goes through her path, dealing with betrayal, loss, and the death of a loved one. Her character changes a lot throughout the three books as well as the movies. She is a brave woman, yet she has an emotional side that allows her to grieve and forgive.
Peter Hayes
I’m sick of doing bad things and liking them, then wondering what’s wrong with me. I want it to be over. I want to start again. – Peter talks about himself in Divergent
Peter’s character is one of the most intriguing in the Divergent series. His journey from a cruel antagonist to someone who shows moments of kindness (especially in “Allegiant”) challenges the reader’s perception of redemption and change. His actions, which are often morally ambiguous, add a layer of unpredictability to the story. Peter was originally from the Candor faction and was one of Tris Prior’s enemies, but his change is a positive one, and he turns to the good side.
Eric Coulter
“You chose us. Now we get to choose you.” – Eric
Eric is not just a villain. He is the leader of Dauntless, as he is also a reflection of the dark side that factions can have—valuing strength above all else. The interactions he has with Tris and Four reveal the conflict between different interpretations of what it means to be Dauntless. Eric was an Erudite-born civilian who later made the decision to join the Dauntless faction. He is a ruthless person who is in an alliance with Jeanine Matthews until he dies in the second book, Insurgent.
Uriah Pedrad
“I love heights.” –Uriah
Uriah is not just a secondary character; he represents the lighter side of the Dauntless faction. His friendship with Tris and the others in the group brings a sense of normalcy and joy among all of the chaos that is going on. His fate is sadly tragic, but it is still a very important moment that underscores the cost of a conflict of any kind.
Marcus Eaton
Marcus Eaton is the father of one of the main characters in the Divergent Trilogy, Tobias Eaton (Four). As the story of Marcus unfolds, he becomes a symbol of the hidden darkness within the selfless Abnegation, which is not as selfless as it seems. His past abuses of Tobias, as well as his political machinations, reveal the complexities of power and the fallibility of those in leadership positions.
Tori Wu
Tori Wu is a former Erudite member who transferred to Dauntless and later became a vital and good friend to the main character, Tris Prior. Her character, particularly in the “Divergent” movie, is portrayed with a sense of mystery and an unknown sense of strength. Her vendetta against Jeanine Matthews because of the death of her brother adds a personal stake to her involvement in the rebellion, which makes her character’s motivations more impactful for the plot of the whole movie.
Conclusion
Well, that’s our take on the top 10 characters in the Divergent series! This series remains a favorite of many grown-up teenagers to this day, as it is one of the books that we can honestly say changed fantasy novels forever. Who is your favorite character from the series? We’d love for you to write to us in the comments below! Now go watch Divergent!
Frequently Asked Questions:
What are the divergent faction names?
The names of the Divergent factions are: Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the kind), Erudite (the intelligent), Abnegation (the selfless), and Candor (the honest)
Who plays in the Divergent cast?
Shailene Woodley as Beatrice “Tris” Prior; Theo James as Tobias “Four” Eaton; Ansel Elgort as Caleb Prior; Zoë Kravitz as Christina; Miles Teller as Peter Hayes; Jai Courtney as Eric Coulter; Ray Stevenson as Marcus Eaton; Kate Winslet as Jeanine Matthews.
What are the names of the Divergent movies?
Divergent (2014) – the first film in the series, introducing the dystopian world and the protagonist, Tris Prior.
Insurgent (2015) – the sequel to “Divergent,” continuing the story of Tris and her fight against the oppressive societal system.
Allegiant (2016) – the third film that diverges from the books, exploring new territories and challenges for the characters.